Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, … Read Full Bio ↴Makihara Noriyuki (槇原 敬之) is a well-known Japanese pop singer/ songwriter, nicknamed "Mackey" by his fans. He was born on 18 May 1969.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
Makihara was first discovered by 坂本龍一 (Ryuuichi Sakamoto) in November 1985 on his radio show, Sound Street during a segment where he played demo tapes submitted by aspiring music makers. Upon winning the Axia Music Audition '89 in March 1990 with his song "NG", he signed with Warner Music Japan and made his debut in October 1990. His first album was a moderate success, peaking at top 50 on the Oricon Weekly Album Charts. With the breakout of "Donna Toki Mo." selling more than one million copies in 1991 alone, he gained his first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Achieving his first million-seller in 1992 with "Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono" and making even more hits like "No. 1" and "SPY" into the mid-1990s, he has became one of the most popular singer-songwriters in Japan. Being arrested for possessing amphetamines in 1999, his career's success came to a standstill and despite making a comeback the subsequent year, his sales dipped and he entered a career slump. In 2003, upon writing the massive three-million-seller hit, "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" for SMAP, he had a second career breakout and has stayed successful ever since. He was subsequently put under arrest in 2020 for possessing stimulants but made a successful comeback in October 2021 with "Yosoro" and has recently concluded a 2-month tour around Japan for the album. Pulling through public opinion and homophobia after being forcibly exposed to having a male partner, he is currently the third best selling male solo act in Japan and has a stable and relatively big fanbase.
One could arguably compare him to Western pop stars such as Elton John, both in terms of musical ability and talent, and continued longevity despite playing to an intensely fickle industry. The two also seem to have shared something of a similar career path in terms of personal ups and downs, public scrutiny and survival through the years in spite of it all.
Makihara has managed to endure and maintain a healthy level of popularity in Japan and other nations worldwide, due to his soothing, appealing voice quality and flair for catchy melody. Not just your average manufactured pop star, real talent can be found in Mackey's work to this day.
It's interesting to note how, as the years have passed, the quality of Makihara's voice has deepened, bringing him into a soulful, velvety range that might remind one of Barry White or Luther Van Dross. Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around the subject of romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years. When not more slowly paced and romantic, his tunes are bright and upbeat, and though certainly dated, even his albums from the 90's are still enjoyable and worth a listen. Remarkably, the cheesy, early 90's pop style lends an immortal charm to his early work, though he has been known to update and bring back old hits, such as "Donna Toki Mo.", which can be found currently as a B-side to his 2007 single, "Green Days."
To sum it up, Macky's an extremely good vibe, quality artist. The messages in his music are extremely positive, which only adds to the beauty of his arrangement and vocal appeal. If you haven't already, check him out! You won't be sorry.
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Cicada
槇原敬之 Lyrics
BLIND どうしてだろう 言葉が 何も君に届かない 君の言葉も わざと僕を はずしたように肩の辺に落ちて キスをしてても なぜか …
Cicada まっくらな土の中 何年も過ごしながら まだ見ぬ太陽の光を 蝉たちは信じてる 辛さから逃げることで 自分を騙しながら 生き…
HAPPY DANCE 〜Album Version〜 君の答えは もうちゃんとわかってたよ どんな思いも簡単に 口にしたりしなかったから いつも見慣れたこの公園の夜も さよな…
Hungry Spider 今日も腹を減らして一匹の蜘が 八つの青い葉に糸をかける ある朝 露に光る巣を見つけ きれいと笑ったあの子のため やっか…
Name Of Love 悲しい訳でもないのに 君のあの笑顔を 思い出す度に ぼくは ちょっと泣いてしまうんだ いつもと同じ帰り道 見慣れた夕焼け…
pool プールの監視員が よそ見をしている 本当の夏はそっちの方に 見えますか 誘う水にだれも 見向きもしない まるで水着を濡ら…
Star Ferry 今頃ちょうど君は あの部屋にもどって 海側の窓を あける頃だろう 夜を渡って行く星を 見逃さないように 部屋の明かりを …
STRIPE! いつもは気にしない 遠くの町の天気予報 街頭のテレビの前で 立ち止まって見ている 「絶好の一日でしょう」 その言葉を聞い…
この傘をたためば 悲しい出来事が この雨だとしたら 傘をさしても濡れる肩が 正直な気持ちだけど 独りの時こそちゃんと 強くいたいんだと あ…
青春 エアコンの効かない部屋で 君を抱きしめた 背中に伝う汗で 僕は何度もさめた ビューラーをかけてる君を 鏡越しに見てた 僕…